test this view, concluding that ammonia was such an inhib- 241 

 itor but only when in alkaline form (as ammonia water and 

 not as ammonium chloride, for example). This made him 

 urge alkalinization with the administration of ammonium 

 compounds. Both the ammonia and the alkali were deserving 

 of consideration by the physician bent upon checking the 

 harmful effects of pneumococcus infection. 



He added another observation. The discovery of "capsules" 

 about the pneumococcus had long been one of the best methods 

 for their identification. But they were hard to see. Wherry 

 proposed a bath of acid of proper concentration to make these 

 cowls show up at once; then if "stained," most contrasting 

 pictures between microorganism and capsular substance could 

 easily be obtained. 



In these days Wherry stole increasingly into the attic of 

 his house — to paint. He had turned, too, to oil instead of water 

 color. The change had not gone well. August 28, 1924 he was 

 on vacation and reported: 



I have to confess to you that I lost my nerve for oil painting 

 when it came to starting and left my fine outfit at home. It 

 seemed too difficult for me to attempt. The fact is, I am lazy. 

 That is why I like fishing; it is a prize form of loafing with 

 a little excitement added once in a while. I had a good time 

 in Wisconsin but am anxious to get at the bugs again. — No 

 doubt you have heard of the plan at the university for popu- 

 larizing science. I have been chosen to represent the medical 

 school. I am out of any popular lecture scheme. 



But he wasn't. He came forward handsomely to give five 

 lectures on the contributions of bacteriology to the history of 

 scientific thought. He had urged discussion upon his listeners. 

 The result, he declared, was disappointing. Only one ques- 

 tioning mind had risen to ask: "Why do they put boric acid 

 in babies' eyes?" His epistle continued: 



Among the letters of recommendation for a new assist prof 

 in my department is one which calls him "too independent 

 minded." So I told McCord [his departmental associate in 

 charge of preventive medicine] to go after him as we needed 

 a little independent-mindedness in our joint. — Don't fall off 

 any glaciers. 



